Wraps are off on China's MG

THE Chinese dignitaries may have been delighted but it was a bitter-sweet moment for a group of former Longbridge workers as the new-look MG rose from the ashes of Birmingham's manufacturing heritage in a factory far away from home.

THE Chinese dignitaries may have been delighted but it was a bitter-sweet moment for a group of former Longbridge workers as the new-look MG rose from the ashes of Birmingham's manufacturing heritage in a factory far away from home.

The first new MG cars in two years were unveiled yesterday at the Nanjing Automotive factory in China. Volume production starts later this year.

A team of ex-Powertrain engineering specialists from Birmingham have been crucial in setting up the factory, working in Nanjing for the past year assembling the machinery, testing processes and training staff at the engine building section.

Some have spent several months at the complex in Pukou, which has become their new home after years at Longbridge.

Almost two years to the day since the MG Rover collapse, Nanjing Automotive heralded the cars it hopes will help launch them into the international market.

The Chinese-built MG7, a stretched version of the car once known as the Rover 75, was first off the line before an MG TF sports car was paraded.

Former Longbridge worker Paul Stowe, of Solihull, who was at the wheel of the car, said: "I had butterflies in my stomach, but now I am flying in the air.

"I was more worried about stalling it than crashing it, but it was a great honour to drive it out. I feel like a little bit of Birmingham is represented here in Nanjing."

Trevor Mortimer, from Selly Oak, said: "I felt proud in the hall when the cars came out. The Chinese have worked very hard to make this a reality; this was a greenfield site a year ago.

"But it's also emotional seeing the cars you helped build the engines for back in England being built somewhere else."

Alan Stokes, aged 59, from West Heath, had worked at the Powertrain engine building plant since 1968. "My son lost his job when Longbridge shut down," he said.

"We were fortunate, but there are still people who haven't found work."

It was also a day of mixed emotions for Nick Stephenson, the former member of the Phoenix consortium which ran MG Rover from 2000 until the company's collapse in 2005.

Mr Stephenson, director of design and engineering at Longbridge, helped Nanjing Automotive as an adviser as it prepared to restart production.

"This is a really positive event, it is a phenomenal achievement - the rebirth of MG and the rebirth of Longbridge. But it is also sad considering the workers who lost their jobs.

"I am feeling particularly emotional to see their version of the Rover 75. I was so proud of that car, it was my baby."

Roche Bentley, founder and secretary of the MG Owners Club, believes MG is in safe hands.

"We are delighted. If it had not been for the purchase of MG it could have died like Wolseley and Riley."

MP Richard Burden, whose Northfield constituency covers Longbridge, said: "For anybody who lived through what happened in 2005 it was difficult to watch the ceremony without a lump in your throat."